Parables: The Lost Ones

The Savior instructs through parables.  In chapter 15 of Luke, there are three instances.

What is the significance?

This subject has captured the imagination of many classical and contemporary artists. The paintings are dramatic and poignant.

Some of the talks from Church General Authorities also reference these stories.  Elder Thomas S. Monson referred to these parables as "Search and Rescue".  His talk was about humanitarian efforts. 

The second story tells about a woman who misplaces one of her ten coins, turns the house upside down to find where it was lost, and rejoices when she finds it.

There is rejoicing in each instance when that which was lost is recovered.

The Prodigal Son story differs from the others.  Jesus makes it quite clear that the son in the parable parted company from his father and his father's household thinking he would be better off without them.  He takes some division of fortunes from his inheritance and goes out into the world.

His money is all squandered in "riotous living".  That phrase has interesting significance in today's world.

Interesting also that the story differs in that the father does not leave his establishment to go off seeking after his lost son.  In this story the father and son apparently parted company by mutual agreement.

 
Instead of investing his wealth wisely, the son eventually falls on hard times, and returns to his father's house hoping to receive treatment at least equal to the standard of living afforded to the father's servants.

I am curious, why is this story different from the parable of lost sheep?

Perhaps we have a different obligation toward those who innocently wander astray than we do for those who wilfully leave the company of the disciples of Jesus?

In both instances the lost are welcome to return, but in the case of the sheep, the shepherd leaves the ninety and nine, and goes actively searching to rescue the lost lamb, bringing it back to the fold carrying the lost sheep on his shoulders.

This contrasts with the prodigal son, who eventually comes to regret the misfortune he experiences, and returns to his father's house voluntarily.  He has lost all hope, and will confess to his father the heartrending realization, "I am no more worthy to be called thy son".

The father, seeing his returning son approach from afar, rejoices in his return and kills the fatted calf in celebration.

One sour note celebrating the return of the prodigal son.  The older brother complains, jealous and angry to see all the attention is being given to his younger brother, when he was the one who remained ever faithful.

The father admonishes him,  "Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine.It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found."

Interesting choice of phrases in this reproach.  "Was dead, and is alive again, was lost, and is found".  What possible significance is there in these words?

Jesus apparently left the parable rest with that point.  We do not learn if the errant prodigal is restored to a share of the inheritance, or if the father later installs him as one of the household servants.  Perhaps it is sufficient to know assurance that the elder brother's reward for his uninterupted faithfulness will not be compromised by the return of the prodigal.

The Prodigal Son

Who is the prodigal son, in the parable Jesus taught in Luke 15?

...wasted his substance with riotous living...

And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him.

And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!

I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee,

And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.

And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.

And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son.

But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet:

And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry:

For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.

The mercy and compassion of this forgiving father is overwhelming. And the despondent hopelessness of the lost son is all too familiar.

It is always difficult for me to read the passage where the lost son rehearses his self-denigration and begging for help -- I can never get past it without bitter tears. How many times have I gone to Father in Heaven with the same thoughts.

The lost son plans to beg the father to make him as a servant. Yet the father is so overjoyed to have regained his lost one that he doesn't even seem to hear, and apparently no thoughts of restitution or justice even entered into his mind.

I wonder, on reflection, how can a father ever forgive such wilful wasting of his hard-earned wealth? And then the thought follows -- how could he not?

Heavenly Father has no desire to punish his children. He is not vindictive or capricious. His greatest joy is in bestowing gifts on his children. His work and glory is in bringing them to everlasting rewards.

Yet the Father's mercy is not unconditional. He does not owe us these favors. We are in the position of the lost son, hopeless to return to Father's house without his undeserved mercy.

How many of us yet vainly continue in hunger, when limitless bounty is within reach? Why fill our bellies with the husks of swine? Perhaps for some, the day of reckoning has not yet arrived, and we are still in the process of wasting our substance. How ironic, for those of us who, through our own willful choice, enter the mire to wallow with the swine.

I have been there myself, many times. As it seems, at the time it was the only alternative. Yet when I come to myself, as the son in the master's parable, I realize once again that the promise of forgiveness and being cleansed is open to all of us.

The fatted calf awaits. There is still time for us. Let us repent and return to the Father's house. He ever receives the prodigal son with open arms.